I designed a holiday ornament based upon the US highways that connect our great nation. I started with a line drawing, to scale (aside from road width) of every highway in the United States. I then used apps and the 3D printing service Shapeways to make my design come to life.

Step 1: Trace or Draw Your Map Boldly

I chose the continental US, you can choose any map you'd like!

Trace the highways our route that you want to highlight in your ornament or coaster or pendant (this particular model works as all three).

I started with a thin point sharpie and it wasn't enough to translate the way I wanted into 3D printing, a thicker tip and a larger drawing plane proved to be the best solution for me.

Take this line drawing and convert it to black and white. Save as a jpg or png. This mutes other roads and lines you may not have used.

Step 2: Upload Your Image to Shapeways 2D to 3D Creator

Shapeways 2D to 3D creator app lets anyone become a designer by converting 2D line art into 3D .stl files.

All you have to do is:

Upload your image file to the Shapeways 2D to 3D app & scale the size of the final product you want to create, both in thickness and in width across.

It's very easy & worth a try! A fun way to get the family 3D printing as well.